Recently a reader reached out to book a mini e-consult with us.  This is an email service we offer to answer a specific design dilemma and help solidify a direction for you.

Because this is an email service, it allows us to help anyone anywhere! 

This service is not intended for a whole room design as it is mini consult, but I do sometimes offer suggestions beyond the particular question to help you see how how the answer fits into a larger picture.  Such was the case with this mini-consult.  

The Dilemma

Our reader wrote with a question about an alcove area in a smallish living room right off the foyer with a disproportionately high vaulted ceiling.  

The alcove in question currently contained a wood stove with a very long chimney spanning the wall to the ceiling and the homeowner was interested in taking it and the adjacent shelving and cabinet in the alcove out. 

They were unsure what to do with the space beyond that and were considering adding some windows to capture the yard views but wanted advice on window design and what could be done that would bring the room into better scale.

I asked about what the rooms intended use would be and for some additional pictures to see what was going on with the other side of the room.

Goals 

They wanted the room to be more welcoming and a space for conversation or reading.  They had another space for TV watching so this room would not need to serve that activity.

Goals included:

• Remove wood stove and shelving

• Access more views of the yard

• Create a welcoming and pleasant sitting room that didn’t feel so awkwardly proportioned

Existing Conditions

As you can see from these photos, the vertical lines of the loooong stove chimney and tall narrow cabinetry/shelving only exaggerate the height of the room and make it feel more like an elevator shaft than a welcoming sitting room! 

Design Solutions

One of the best tricks for correcting the proportions of a room that is taller than it is wide is to use horizontal visual lines to create a more human scale.  

You can see how we did exactly that in a condo great room project by adding millwork HERE.  

For our e-consult client with the alcove design dilemma, we suggested a pair of windows in the alcove that would mirror the height of the existing front windows in the room and provide a much needed horizontal line.

To further create the comfortable space we suggested adding a window seat below the new windows in the alcove. Because the alcove is 2’ deep, this is plenty of depth for seating.

In addition to another horizontal element to ground the room, this new seating space allowed us to gather a sofa and chair on either side of the alcove for a new, cozy seating group.

The alcove then has a purpose, adds depth to widen the room, and provides a focal point.  And a windowseat always provides storage opportunity with either a lift up seat or drawers or cabinet under it.

Flanking the new windows with sconces would provide nice general light for the space and reading light for curling up on the window seat with a good book.

Topping the windows with a round decorative element like an architectural fragment window frame, or a round mirror fills the angled space above the window and introduces a curved element. 

The alcove could be called out with an accent paint color if desired - a deeper color would help the wall visually recede even farther, further widening the perceived dimensions of the room.

Obviously removing the stove and attendant hearth tile means repairing/replacing the flooring, and so in my notes I suggested a hardwood to continue throughout the living spaces,  I was delighted to learn this is what the homeowner was already planning on! 

This also provides the opportunity to add an area rug to define the seating area and add some pattern and interest underfoot for a cozier feel.

Pairs of larger framed art on either side of the alcove finishes the wall nicely.

There is an existing ceiling fan which, if not needed, could be replaced with an interesting chandelier or oversized lantern fixture centered to reflect in the round mirror.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this peek at a mini-design consult and learned a few design principles along the way! 

If you’d like help with a particular design dilemma, you can book a mini consult service HERE.